Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters by Emily Roberson

Sep 26, 2019 Lola rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mythology, forbidden-love, competition, 2019-publications, retellings

This book was such a pleasurable experience. I feel like sincerely thanking the author for writing it because we all need positive distractions in our lives. I’m a university student who takes school seriously but I also need time to chill with a fun and surprising book. This story combines so many of the things I enjoy immersing myself in: mythology, retellings, forbidden love, competition and reality TV. I especially liked the ways in which Emily Roberson negotiated antiquity and modernity. On ...more

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Oct 24, 2019 Toni rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019, ya

An interesting concept of combining reality tv and 'famous for being famous' culture and one of the most popular myths in Greek mythology. Entertaining, although a bit irreverent at times (as you would expect from the premise). I always had mixed feelings about Ariadne, but here the protagonist is very likeable and I really enjoyed looking at her as a rebellious teenager who wants to find her own way in life.

Thank you to Edelweiss and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the review copy provided in ...more

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Aug 09, 2019 - ̗̀ DANY ̖́- (danyreads) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, 2019-reads

. : — 3

READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG!!!
https://bit.ly/2KphrbA

ARC provided from the publisher in exchange for an honest review (thank you Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Macmillan!!)

you simply HAVE to give Emily Roberson extra kudos for originality. never in a million years would I have been smart enough to come up with a concept that takes an ancient greek myth, reality TV like Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and The Hunger Games and blends them in such a dark and seamless way. I was a HUGE fan ...more

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Oct 13, 2019 The Nerd Daily rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Nathalie DeFelice

I finished this story a week and a half ago, and I’m just now finding the words to describe the absolute delight of a story this was to read. It’s been a long time since I last read a retelling of a Greek myth, and I was blown away by how Emily Roberson was able to create this hybrid world of a Kardashian-esque royal family while still observing the rules of the Gods. There are elements of this story that caused me to think of Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Nathalie DeFelice

I finished this story a week and a half ago, and I’m just now finding the words to describe the absolute delight of a story this was to read. It’s been a long time since I last read a retelling of a Greek myth, and I was blown away by how Emily Roberson was able to create this hybrid world of a Kardashian-esque royal family while still observing the rules of the Gods. There are elements of this story that caused me to think of the pervasive nature of social media, and how some of the most devoted can turn into the biggest hypocrites. I loved the exploration of sibling relationships despite fame and fortune, and the desperate lengths that one will go for the ultimate revenge. I don’t think I can recommend this story enough. If you like retellings in a *mostly* contemporary setting, I don’t think there’s a better story to pick up!

Now, for those of you who are wondering, this story is the tale of Ariadne, whose life has been carefully curated and shared with the world around her. Her royal family’s entertainment empire is loved by the masses, especially social media, tabloids, and their shows are the hottest things ever to hit television. The most popular show? The Labyrinth Contest, where Ariadne leads 14 young contestants into a maze to kill a monster. In the ten seasons the show has run, no one has ever won. Enter Theseus, a mysterious young man who’s desperate for Ariadne’s help him win the contest, and whom she doesn’t expect to fall for quite so hard. It’s possible that he’s just doing it to boost ratings, but their attraction to each other is undeniable. She has the potential to help him survive, but to do that, the monster would have to die. For Ariadne, that might be the only life that’s worth truly saving. How can she forge a destiny and save the people she loves when her every move is monitored?

My goodness, even the summary packs a wallop. Not only that, but starting this book feels like you’re stepping into an episode of reality TV. Ariadne’s voice has this acerbic wit to it that finds amusement and despair at her surroundings. She’s funny and sarcastic, but desperate to remain invisible, despite her family’s claim to fame. The tactful way she analyses her position relative to the world around her is very interesting, and I enjoyed reading about her and her life. Her relationships with people are the most fascinating though, and my favourite interactions are those she has with one of her sisters and the monster. The depths that you find between these conversations unearth bonds unlike any other.

There are other characters that I would love to talk about, but they might be spoilers so I’ll try to be as vague as possible. Ariadne’s best friend was a character that I loved to hate, mainly because of the things that are happening in the story, are pushed forward because of them accidentally on purpose. You’ll see what I mean when you pick up the book *wink, wink*.

Of course there’s romance, and it’s definitely a bit of insta-love, especially when the Greek Gods are involved. Theseus is another great character, full of resolve, determination, and enough confidence for an entire country. Getting past that charm was definitely fun, because the story openly admits to the insta-love aspect, and looks to explore past that and how to make things work anyway. I was definitely under the impression Theseus was very superficial at first, which just shows how influential Ariadne’s outlook in the story is, but she breaks him down bit by bit. Gone is that swaggering confidence, and we’re left with a young man who’s just as frightened as Ariadne is.

At the heart of this story, readers will find themes related to the irrevocable effects of social media on behaviour. It’s explored thoroughly with Ariadne’s mother and sisters, and then with her father. I found it fascinating to see how characters coped with fame or didn’t. Readers will also find a thorough exploration of trust and boundaries; how relationships are altered, broken, and shattered by those we are closest to. My favourite is the theme of revenge versus forgiveness, and how that can ultimately make monsters of us all.

Honestly, I don’t have much to complain about. I wish I had gotten to know a little more of the world, and perhaps gotten to see some plot points play out in the story. Maybe there will be more stories set in this world of modern/ancient Greece. I know there’s one story that I’d love to be told, and that is of Ariadne’s best friend. Honestly, I felt like the ending of this story could lead into something more, so I’m crossing my fingers in anticipation.

All in all, I’m rating it a 9/10. I loved it quite a bit, and I’ve missed seeing Greek Gods in YA fiction. This was definitely the story I needed after reading some very dark things. It was funny, witty, and yet still left me thinking about things. I encourage you to add this to your shelves as soon as it’s out. I know I definitely will. ...more

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Oct 28, 2019 ˗ˏˋ aphrodite ˊˎ˗ rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mythology

this book is bizarre yet strangely entertaining?

it’s basically a greek myth version of keeping up with the kardashians & the hunger games so yeah: bizarre

the writing is very reminiscent of 2000s YA and you can definitely tell it’s a debut novel but I was still flying through this.

there are themes about growing up in a reality show and the inner workings of fame. it’s exploitive, sexual, & exactly what you expect in the production of real housewives.

the theme of how mortals blame the ...more

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Oct 17, 2019 julianna ➹ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: unreleased, drc

i love greek mythology and i also love mindless entertainment
this book was a great match for me

review to come :)

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May 21, 2019 Rec-It Rachel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019-releases, 2019-reads

This was fun and I know EXACTLY which of my library teens are gonna go wild over it

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Aug 21, 2019 Kay rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, physical-arc, retellings

Many thanks to Farrar, Straus, and Grioux/Macmillan for sending me a free ARC in exchange for an honest review..

The premise of this book is so unique, crazy, and completely amazing. I mean, Greek mythology and reality TV are usually not two things that people associate or think of together, but that’s exactly what this book was, and it was so fun to read about.

It was cool and fun to see the ancient Greek world depicted in a social media, entertainment obsessed world similar to our own. I loved Many thanks to Farrar, Straus, and Grioux/Macmillan for sending me a free ARC in exchange for an honest review..

The premise of this book is so unique, crazy, and completely amazing. I mean, Greek mythology and reality TV are usually not two things that people associate or think of together, but that’s exactly what this book was, and it was so fun to read about.

It was cool and fun to see the ancient Greek world depicted in a social media, entertainment obsessed world similar to our own. I loved seeing these great kings calling each other up to videochat about the gods’ wills! The ideas definitely don’t go together at first thought, and Roberson did a fantastic job of creating her world.

The world depicted could be really disturbing, almost dystopian. I got serious Hunger Games vibes at points–kids being shown on TV, dressed up to look pretty and trained as warriors, ultimately going to their deaths. Ariadne and some other characters are shown to dislike this world, and to not want the fame that everyone desperately craves, and her interactions with people craving fame and high ratings really showed the disturbing nature of the world. I thought this could be a reflection/commentary on the growing obsession with social media and curating the picture perfect online life that we live in today.

Unfortunately, I would have liked a bit more development and closure with this creepy world. People are shown to be unhappy with the lives they’re locked into, but having to hide it and pretend and do things they don’t want to anyways. This sort of reveals how terrible the world can be, and motivates Ariadne to fight back and try to get out, which was good, but I thought it could have been resolved a little better.

For example, there is a scene where a celebrity who makes sex tapes is shown to be taking pills to forget that everyone is watching, and it’s implied that she might not want it. Another character is repeatedly told to undress, and show at least nipples for the camera. Although Ariadne does want to get out, these scenes felt sort of rape-y and I didn’t think they were fully addressed considering how dark and heavy of themes they are.

I absolutely love retellings and especially Greek mythology, so I was so excited to read this book, and it definitely did not disappoint. I was vaguely familiar with the story of the Minotaur before reading, but didn’t recall all the details, so I read it mostly as its own original story with some references to Greek mythology in it, and after I finished, I reread the original myth, so I could really see all the references, changes, and ways this book sticks to the original, and I think a person could really enjoy this book with or without really knowing the story, and knowing the myth just enhances it!

I really liked Ariadne as a character. She’s shown to be kind and compassionate, caring for the Minotaur and seeing depth in him when nobody else will and everyone just sees a monster. All along she never wanted to be involved in the horrible TV show that leads to the deaths of so many kids as well as hurting the monster. At the beginning she doesn’t like it but leaves it alone, but throughout the book she really grows to see that she has to do something to create the change she wants and take action.

I really enjoyed her interactions with the other characters as well. I loved seeing her and Theasus, and although the romance moved a bit too quickly and was a bit too close to instalove for my liking, I mostly liked it and there were some seriously swoony moments! I loved Icarus as her best friend and even her interactions with her sisters who seemed shallow and vapid at first had hidden depths. And of course my absolute favorite relationship is that of Ariadne and the Minotaur, and my heart was just breaking with them.

Overall, although there were some things I think could have been developed more, this was a really enjoyable read and I definitely recommend it! ...more

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Oct 28, 2019 Bethany rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Yikes, this book is a lot and I'm not entirely sure how to feel about it. I came close to DNF'ing, but it is a pretty quick read so I decided to see it through. I love the concept behind Lifestyles of God's and Monsters, but the execution....had a lot more issues. I am particularly uncomfortable with the handling of certain things given that this is a YA book, and we will dig into that.

This is being pitched as Greek Mythology meets The Kardashians, and in a lot of ways that is quite accurate.
Yikes, this book is a lot and I'm not entirely sure how to feel about it. I came close to DNF'ing, but it is a pretty quick read so I decided to see it through. I love the concept behind Lifestyles of God's and Monsters, but the execution....had a lot more issues. I am particularly uncomfortable with the handling of certain things given that this is a YA book, and we will dig into that.

This is being pitched as Greek Mythology meets The Kardashians, and in a lot of ways that is quite accurate. It is a retelling of Ariadne and the Minotaur, but set in a modernish version of Greece where Ariadne and the rest of her family are part of a reality TV show. Names and many details from the original are directly imported into this technologically modern setting, which is an interesting choice and one that definitely took some getting used to. I think the problem with that is that while the technology, existence of reality TV, and dialogue is modern, the treatment of women and children (among other things) is decidedly not, and that leads to some really horrifying decisions that I'm really uncomfortable with. I think a better approach might have been to do a looser retelling and/or age up the characters in the book.

Instead, we essentially get extreme forms of child abuse that are not handled with enough gravity. And I'm not even talking about the televised deaths of 14 teenagers every year at the hands of the minotaur. Nope, I'm talking about how Ariadne's parents basically force her and her sisters to get drunk, show on-camera nudity, engage in sexual activity on-camera, including (in the case of her sisters) with men who are much older or abusive. Other side characters there to compete are also shown to get drunk and hook up with people on camera, including one girl who is only 13 years old, but is described as beautiful and desirable by older men. Ariadne is 16 years old and it is implied that this behavior began with her sisters when they were much younger. While none of this is portrayed as positive, it also feels played up for shock value and some parts are really brushed over. I was so uncomfortable with all of this, particularly for a YA book that seems more concerned about Ariadne being forced into things she doesn't want than about the fact that this is exploitation of children in the worst way. There is no criminal justice system, and apparently rights are not a thing that exist. It's horrifying.

Add to that the fact that everyone but Ariadne is basically over-the-top horrible, often to an unbelievable degree, and that she falls into the very tired "not like other girls" trope that makes her out to be in some way better because she isn't into makeup or fashion. I am so over that as a way of handling female characters, especially for teens.

That said, I like the idea of making Greek mythology more relevant, and this certainly drives home the horrific and messed up things involved in some of those stories. Thankfully this book chose not to dabble in the incestuous overtones of the original myth, but it does include the bestiality. (For those unfamiliar, the Minotaur is Ariadne's half-brother, born from her mother having sex with a white bull) *sigh* I don't know guys, I struggled with this one and I think a lot of people will probably want to avoid it just because of the content. I received and advance copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own. ...more

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Oct 24, 2019 Sara (A Gingerly Review) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019, audio-book-2019

I love Greek mythology so this story hit a spot with me. I could not get enough. Brilliant concept.

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Dec 19, 2018 K8 marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: october-2019

I KNOW they wrangle buzzwords and key phrases to sell these things, but this genuinely sounds like "this is about uhhh *spins wheel*--"

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Jun 02, 2019 Amber (The Book Bratz) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019debut, fantasy, bookexpo-19, reviewed, young-adult, physical-arc, publisher-sent

The full review + more can be found at The Book Bratz

*Thank you so much to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Fierce Reads for the opportunity to read LIFE STYLES OF GODS AND MONSTERS!*

I love Greek Mythology retellings, so a modern day retelling of the Minotaur myth? Sign me up! Now lets add in reality TV and fight to the deaths and its basically a kick ass book. This book is basically: Keeping Up With The Kardashians + Greek Mythology + The Hunger Games = Lifestyle of Gods and Monsters. Lifestyle The full review + more can be found at The Book Bratz

*Thank you so much to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Fierce Reads for the opportunity to read LIFE STYLES OF GODS AND MONSTERS!*

I love Greek Mythology retellings, so a modern day retelling of the Minotaur myth? Sign me up! Now lets add in reality TV and fight to the deaths and its basically a kick ass book. This book is basically: Keeping Up With The Kardashians + Greek Mythology + The Hunger Games = Lifestyle of Gods and Monsters. Lifestyle of Gods and Monsters is a refreshing take on a timeless myth and a breathe of fresh air in the fantasy genre. If you are looking for a fun but dark quick fantasy read this is the perfect book for you.

In Crete every year fourteen teens for Athens compete for the chance to qualify for the chance to appear on The Labyrinth Contest, a fight to the death on life TV. Beat the Minotaur and you'll be rich among your wildest dreams. But in the ten years since the show first aired, no one has beaten the Minotaur. Ariadne, one of the three princesses of Crete, is the Keeper of the Gates and leads each competitor to the gates where the they ultimately meet their death. Ariadne has her own reservations about being the Keeper, but its the Gods plans for her and you never disobey the Gods. That's until she meets Theseus and she can't deny her quick growing attraction to him or the chemistry they seem to have. When Theseus begs Ariadne to help him beat the Minotaur, Ariadne begins to question everything she has known her whole life. Especially as dark secrets begin to unravel.

I really loved Ariadne's character. She's funny and dedicated to her family. She doesn't question her father and as long as she has her VR video games she is happy. That is until she meets Theseus and begins to question things. After being caught on camera her and Theseus quickly become a plot line in The Labyrinth Contest, causing ratings go through the roof, but at what cost is this to Ariande and her connection to the Minotaur? She can't let the Minotaur die and that is Theseus' ultimate goal.

Besides the mythology and retelling in the Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters it casts an interesting light on things that happen behind the camera of reality television. How things are planned and orchestrated. We see Ariadne's sisters who have their own reality TV show,The Cretan Paradoxes, bask in their own fame. But at what cost? Not everyone is as happy as they look on camera. I loved seeing the obedient character that Ariadne started out as at the beginning of the novel and her growth to the end. Especially after the things her parents and best friend expected of her as being part of the plot line to boost ratings and making the this season the most watched in history. But after a while, enough it enough.

Overall I really enjoyed Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters and can't wait to read more from Emily. Her debut novel is a taste of something different in YA fantasy. A modern day retelling with a reality TV and dark twist that will keep you turning the pages until you reach the last one. ...more

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Oct 29, 2019 Katherine Moore rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019, blog-tour, 2019-read

This is an astoundingly clever mash-up of Greek mythology, celebrity culture (think 'Keeping Up with The Kardashians'), and the Hunger Games; altogether the story of Ariadne and Theseus is told, where the gods are under the lens 24/7 just like Khloe and Kim, and ratings are always king. The monster is the Minotaur, Ariadne's brother, a tragic character, who is supposed to be killed by whoever solves the maze. Ariadne is caught between helping her new-found love or helping her family, with ...more

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Oct 07, 2019 Samantha (WLABB) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: outsideus, 2019, arcs, ya, romance, fantasy

As penance for the murder of King Minos' eldest son, 14 of Athen's best and beautiful citizens must be sent to compete in the reality show, The Labyrinth Contest, where they would run the maze and attempt to conquer the Minotaur. After, 10 seasons, and lagging ratings, the newly claimed Athenian prince, Theseus, wanted to face the Minotaur in an effort to save his people, but he couldn't do it without the help of the Cretan princess, Ariadne. Would the princess choose her family, or would she ...more

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Sep 28, 2019 Stacia | stacialovestoread rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: wish-list

This book was so. Good!

My full review will be up at curlybookowl.com on or after September 29. Please visit me there for a full break down!

———————————————————————————

Thank you so much to FSG & Macmillan Publishing for sending me an ARC of this book to review. I am forever grateful.

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Nov 04, 2019 Christy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A fascinating exploration of politics, reality TV, celebrity, and power set in the context of gods and Kim K.

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Oct 27, 2019 Abigail Nixon rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A fun and smart read that made me laugh AND cry (just a little bit!) Ariadne learning the true ways of martini-making from her dad felt oddly familiar to me...

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Nov 03, 2019 Emily rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: theme-mythological-legendary, access-edelweiss, special-arc, rating-2-star, rep-gay, rep-lgbtqiap-plus, collection-ya-fiction, theme-retelling, rep-mlm, theme-religion-spirituality

I'd be more than willing to accept a boring, ordinary life, if anyone was offering.

The gods laid out the details, and it is up to us to follow them, each of us playing our part. Including me. With the gods involved, it could get way worse.

Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters = Greek myth + Keeping Up with the Kardashians + The Hunger Games. This is a retelling of Theseus in the Labyrinth, from Ariadne's POV. In the myth, Crete's crown prince was assassinated by Athenians, so in penance the ...more

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Oct 26, 2019 Ryley (Ryley Reads) rated it really liked it

Shelves: debut-novel, read-in-2019, received-for-review, standalone, young-adult-fiction, fantasy, retelling, alternate-reality, mythology, world-travel

So requested this book because the synopsis gave me major Hunger Games meets Greek mythology on a reality television show vibes - which I was HYPED about - and that's pretty much what I got!

This story follows Ariadne, the daughter of Cretan reality TV moguls. After the Athenian murder of her older brother, her father organized The Labyrinth Contest, a televised event where fourteen of the best and bravest warriors from Athens come to try and defeat the deadly Minotaur. As Keeper of the Maze, So requested this book because the synopsis gave me major Hunger Games meets Greek mythology on a reality television show vibes - which I was HYPED about - and that's pretty much what I got!

This story follows Ariadne, the daughter of Cretan reality TV moguls. After the Athenian murder of her older brother, her father organized The Labyrinth Contest, a televised event where fourteen of the best and bravest warriors from Athens come to try and defeat the deadly Minotaur. As Keeper of the Maze, Ariadne is forced to be a part of the slaughter and keep a big secret about who the Minotaur really is. This year, Thesus, the recently recognized son of the King of Athens shows up to fight the Minotaur. While Ariadne's father is not impressed, he realizes this development - and Thesus's immediate connection with Ariadne - is great for ratings. Torn between helping the boy she has just met but really likes and betraying the family who has forced her to do the dirty work for a decade, Ariadne has to decide how to end The Labyrinth Contest once and for all.

Immediately I was drawn in by the Greek mythology component of this book. The author takes some creative liberties, obviously, but I loved hearing about different myths than are usually adapted into new stories. Roberson also did a really great job of having the characters themselves embody the myths they were a part of. For example, one of Ariadne's best friend's is Icarus - you know, got magical golden wings and flew too close to the sun? Well, he's in charge of the plotlines for the show and there are a number of times where he got so caught up in the moment he couldn't quite see reality which I thought made a lot of sense for his character. Just little things like that that show the author is really working with the myths beyond just retelling them.

I also really loved the relationship between Thesus and Ariadne. I could see how some readers might find it a little insta-lovey but, as I said in a previous review, I'm kinda living for the swept up, love at first sight romances lately so I didn't mind. And truthfully, Ariadne was already half-way out of the competition/TV show before Thesus came around, he just helped give her an out.

In terms of structure, I enjoyed the reality TV component more than I thought I would, it's not usually something I gravitate towards but Roberson did a good job of framing the story. We got glimpses behind the scenes of some of the less glamourous components of reality TV and, especially with Ariadne's sisters, got the sense that even though they were a part of it, they more or less had to grin and bear it.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one, I thought it was a fun twist on classic Greek mythology and would love to see a spinoff of this book or a companion novel or something set in the same world! ...more

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Oct 28, 2019 Katherine Paschal rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: supernatural, royal-court, teen, heart-wrenching, another-world, contemp-romance, retelling

Ariadne has spent the last ten years as the mysterious keeper of the labyrinth, the one that cares for the beastly Minotaur inside and leads the 14 contestants every year inside for the reality show, The Labyrinth Contest. But nobody knows that she is really a sad teen girl who wants nothing more but to have the show/game end and for her baby brother to get some peace. This year is different though, and it might just be the arrival of Prince Theseus that causes the change.

I love all things ...more

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Aug 06, 2019 Heather rated it really liked it

Shelves: female-protagonist, lgbtqia, death, adaptations, 2019, speculative-fiction, ya, arc, books-to-buy, libby-ya-need

Review originally posted on my blog, It's YA Girl Reviews

Disclaimer: I received this book as an advanced copy by the publisher via NetGalley for reviewing purposes, but all opinions are my own.

As a classics major and lover of all things mythology, I was into this book from the get-go. From the moment I heard about it I knew I had to have it. So I was so thrilled to get the chance to read it before it came out and now I'm thrilled to yell at everyone to read it when it does come out, because it Review originally posted on my blog, It's YA Girl Reviews

Disclaimer: I received this book as an advanced copy by the publisher via NetGalley for reviewing purposes, but all opinions are my own.

As a classics major and lover of all things mythology, I was into this book from the get-go. From the moment I heard about it I knew I had to have it. So I was so thrilled to get the chance to read it before it came out and now I'm thrilled to yell at everyone to read it when it does come out, because it is fun and exciting and also represents one of the more gruesome Greek myths in a surprisingly accurate way. Honestly I loved how closely this story followed the actual myth of Ariadne and Theseus and the Minotaur, even in a world that had cellphones and VR video games and reality TV. It all wove seamlessly together, even though it had no right to, and I'm just in awe. But honestly, if anyone deserved to be on reality TV, it was the ancient Greeks. In spite of the seemingly incongruous technology, these ancient myths lend themselves beautifully to the drama and chaos of reality TV and social media and competition shows. And Roberson was clever enough to capture this possibility and turn it into something truly engaging.

For those unfamiliar with the original myth, I'll give you a brief breakdown. King Minos of the island Crete received a white bull from the god Poseidon, which he was supposed to sacrifice to honor the gods. Minos liked the bull and didn't want to kill it, so he sacrificed a different bull, keeping the gifted one as a pet. Poseidon was pretty upset about that, so he made Minos' wife fall in love with the bull. Long story short, she gives birth later to a half bull/half human baby that has a taste for human flesh. Minos gets the inventor Daedalus and his son Icarus to build the Labyrinth, a giant maze, in order to contain this new creature, so dubbed Minotaur. Later some Athenians kill Minos' son, and Minos demands restitution, of the cruel and unusual variety. The lovely solution he comes up with is to have Athens send seven young men and seven young maidens to Crete to be dinner for his Minotaur (myths vary about the frequency of the sacrifices, whether they were yearly or more spread out). This goes on for a while and then Theseus, new prince of Athens, volunteers to slay the beast to save Athens' young folk. He would've been a goner like the rest of them except that Minos' daughter, Ariadne, falls in love with the Athenian Hero and decides she can't bear to let him get devoured by the beast. She gives him a ball of thread that lets him escape the maze after killing the Minotaur, and he sets sail back to Athens with the young Athenians and the Cretan princess in tow. Of course, these myths rarely have happy endings for all involved, and this one certainly doesn't. Theseus rudely abandons Ariadne on an island on the way back to Athens. But don't worry, according to most versions, the god Dionysus finds her there and they fall in love and she becomes a goddess. Theseus then makes the "mistake" of not changing his sails from the black ones to the white ones as he and his father (King of Athens, Aegeus) agreed he would, should he survive. So they show up in the harbor with black sails, Aegeus assumes Theseus did not survive his attempt to defeat the Minotaur and jumps into the sea from some cliffs. But it’s okay, they named the sea after him. So yeah, not exactly a warm and fuzzy tale. But plenty of drama, and that's precisely what Roberson capitalizes on very effectively in this book.

Now, I don't want to give away too much of what Roberson does and doesn't keep from the myth, but all the major points are there. A sixteen year old Ariadne is our main character, and pretty much all the figures from the myth are players in this story. We see the family dynamic of a powerful King Minos, ruling his kingdom through the power of celebrity. The ruling family are the it family. Ariadne's two older sisters have a Keeping Up with the Kardashians style reality show. But it's The Labyrinth Contest that is the major event of the year, every year. Think part American Ninja Warrior, part Hunger Games. The contestants, seven young men and seven young women from Athens, at least get to choose to be on the show. As you can assume from the title, it's framed like a contest, the Athenians given the opportunity to go through the labyrinth (and its many obstacles) to try and defeat the Minotaur in order to win eternal fame and glory. So more like the tributes from Districts 1 and 2, for the Hunger Games comparison. The volunteer aspect gives the show more depth and intrigue. These contestants are not wholly unwilling participants, like they were in the myth; each of them really thinks they'll be the one to defeat the Minotaur. Even though The Labyrinth Contest is in its eleventh season now, and 140 other Athenians who really thought they could do it, didn't. But these contestants are ready and willing to give it their best shot, with the whole world watching (if Minos can get his viewer numbers up)

But don't think that just because you know the myth that you know exactly how this story is going to go. Roberson added just enough twists to keep you on your toes, and your nose in this book! The characters are the real powerhouse of this book. You may know the basic plot in advance, but you won't understand how attached you'll get to each of the characters until you read it. They have so much more depth and personality than you get from the myth, and they're in a world that is uncomfortably similar to ours. They have access to modern technology, making them feel much more familiar than they would if the story took place in its ancient roots. But the monarchical structures are still in place, so it still rings true with the myth and isn't truly contemporary. The way in which these somewhat contradictory settings are woven together is so subtle you don't even notice while you're reading. It was only after I finished the book that I looked back on it and thought how unexpectedly well the modern aspects worked with the mythological. The characters still represented their myth counterparts but in a way that is accessible to the modern reader. You definitely don't have to know the myth to become completely engrossed by this story. The drama and tension pulls you in right from the very beginning. You'll laugh, you might cry, and you'll probably have a new appreciation for classical mythology. This is a fun read that I can see myself turning to when I need something familiar from now on. Ancient Greek myths were made for reality TV spoofs like this, and I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for more books in this vein because I cannot get enough. ...more

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Jun 11, 2019 Kat rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-review-book, 2019-releases

* Thank you to the publishers for sending an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review *

ACTUAL: 4.5 stars

Lifestyles of Gods & Monsters is a mythological mix of the Kardishian's and Hunger Games (bold, right!?), but a lot of fun. It follows Ariadne, who is always in the spotlight because of her family's entertainment empire. They are most well known for their popular TV show Labyrinth Contest, where Ariadne leads fourteen teens into a maze to slay a monster, but in its 10 seasons, no ...more

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Nov 04, 2019 Izzy marked it as did-not-finish · review of another edition

DNFed @ 30%

i just... didn't like this. it's not good. i can't tell if the author wrote this as a satire or if she really believes such an amount of oversexualization is something plausible because other than a not-like-other-girls comment every other page (seriously, three different characters said that to ariadne in the span of the same chapter. THREE TIMES.) there's absolutely no critique at all. i was very interested in seeing the dynamics of a modern retelling of greek myths but she went a ...more

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Jun 29, 2019 Dipali rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs

** A copy of Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters was provided by the publisher and Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review **

Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters was one of my anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint! First, the cover is beautiful. Two, a mash-up of Greek mythology, reality TV and today's celebrity culture seems unlikely but it's actually perfect. The Labyrinth Contest sounds like Legends of the Hidden Temple or Crystal Maze, which are shows I loved as a child. I've ...more

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Jul 14, 2019 Heather rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

What a creative, fun, and unusual book! With an over-the-top social media focused game show (both gruesome and glamorous) combined with the myth of the Minotaur and its elaborate labyrinth, Emily Roberson led Ariadne and Theseus to their fates in a way that was true to the myth while creating an entirely new world for them. Additionally, Ariadne's relationship with the Minotaur was so well developed, full of tenderness and heart, which made the story all the better (and unexpectedly sad in ...more

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Jul 17, 2019 Kelly Coon rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Bloody and dark, but filled with warm family relationships too, this take on the Minotaur legend is uniquely suited for our modern, social media age. It's the Hunger Games meets Greek mythology meets the Kardashians, and I was rooting for Ariadne the whole way through!

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Sep 25, 2019 Erin Arkin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2019, galley-arc

This was different...and good! Full review to come!

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Mar 14, 2019 Kalie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, retellings

LIFESTYLES OF GODS AND MONSTERS is a smarter, shaper, and certainly darker (much darker, oh my god) book than I anticipated and one I would have enjoyed even more if I were currently a teen. The way Roberson tackles social commentary with invented pop culture reminds me a lot of Libba Bray’s BEAUTY QUEENS even if it’s not handled quite as well. I'd still recommend this book to anyone looking for something new in that vein. In short, this wild and a little bit bonkers and there were a couple of ...more

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Jun 07, 2019 Max Baker rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: i-reviewed, read-as-an-arc, read-in-a-day

Thank You Netgalley and Edelweiss for providing me a free review copy in exchange for an honest review

I was super into this concept. Reality TV isn't something I personally enjoy, but I'm endlessly fascinated by the concept and the culture surrounding it. So when I heard that there was a Kardashian-esque retelling of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, I was all in baby.

Roberson created a unique world in Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters. A fantasy world with modern technology is something that Thank You Netgalley and Edelweiss for providing me a free review copy in exchange for an honest review

I was super into this concept. Reality TV isn't something I personally enjoy, but I'm endlessly fascinated by the concept and the culture surrounding it. So when I heard that there was a Kardashian-esque retelling of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, I was all in baby.

Roberson created a unique world in Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters. A fantasy world with modern technology is something that not a lot of book are willing to tackle, but I think Roberson did a really great job at. The world of Crete was familiar, but accentuated to the point of parody. The royal family as reality stars, games shows that double as death matches, kings that are CEOs of media conglomerates. It was all very creative and developed to the point where I could've read about this world for hours at end. Or, at least I thought I could.

Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters has the same problem for me as Once and Future by Cori McCarthy and Amy Rose Capetta had. It feels like it's constrained by the mythology rather then growing within it. It felt like Roberson was too focused on sticking to the plot points of the myth rather then building the actual story. And at the end of the day, this is literally just the Theseus and the Minotaur myth with a unique world and a female perspective.

Speaking of female perspective, I found Ariadne to be...bland I guess. She's the same character model we see in almost all stories centering around a famous family. She doesn't want to be in the spotlight, she misinterprets her family's love of fame, she thinks it's all frivolous and stupid, and I just found it tiresome. Ariadne starts and finishes the book with the same mentality, just an additional hatred for her parents. She doesn't really go through substantial change and most if not all her actions are made for her. She doesn't choose to help Theseus. She doesn't choose to help kill the Minotaur. She doesn't even choose to leave. She makes no choices throughout the book, which is odd considering one of the main themes and plot points is her being forced into a situation she doesn't want. She's a particular brand of passive character. Active enough for readers to be engaged, but after a few days of thought realize she's a largely passive individual. Her only real action was actually betraying her father, but only after it became the only option.

Personally, I found her sisters more interesting if only because they seemed a bit more layered then Ariadne. Trapped between their very real love of what fame gives them versus the cost it takes to maintain their lifestyle.

Regardless, I'd recommend Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters solely for the unique world, but be wary of the passive main character and the stranglehold the mythology has on the story. ...more

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Jun 25, 2019 Sami rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I absolutely flew through this novel inspecting Greek mythology through a reality tv lens. Seriously, how brilliant is framing the Minotaur and the Labyrinth as a deadly game show? Not to mention the layers shown in Ariadne's sisters, who serve as pawns in their own Kardashian type show. Definitely one you'll want to hand to your book club.

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